Speaker
Description
In linearized gravity there is a long-standing non-uniqueness problem regarding expressing the energy-momentum of the theory. Multiple distinct expressions exist in the literature, and there is not consensus which, if any, is the unique expression for the theory. Determining uniqueness is important as certain calculations require a unique expression. To address this problem, we use Noether’s first theorem to develop a mathematical framework for the general set of Noetherian energy-momentum tensors in linearized gravity. Linearized gravity is necessary because the symmetries (4-parameter Poincaré translation) required for deriving an energy-momentum tensor from Noether’s first theorem are well defined for this theory. Noether’s first theorem provides a systematic method for deriving conservation laws from the symmetries of a given theory. In a previous publication, we developed the general set of energy-momentum tensors in linearized gravity that are derivable from the Noether current; however, it is yet to be determined what subset of these will satisfy the Noether identity off-shell. Determining this subset is the subject of current work on the project, which we discuss in this presentation.